Problem-Based Learning (PBL) ... So What's the Problem?

The problem with Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is, without sounding too obvious, the problem. Afterall, real-life problems surround us at every turn. But the challenge for educators is finding a suitable problem to guide and direct the students in their learning towards a solution.

So where does probem-based learning fit into the learning cycle (see diagram below)?

 

To give the problem analysis stage of learning a reasonable chance of success, we need to consider how to design the poblem to enhance the learning experience for the student. One option is to find an interesting article/case study that is relevant to your learning objectives and to then pose relevant questions that both inform and challenge the student. Another option is to identify specific learning objectives and pose questions on it so the student can draw from relevant personal experience to analyse the problem. So is there a systematic way to go about designing challenging problems for the student to engage with?

Here are some guidelines to assist you in designing problems for PBL, based on the current understanding of problem characteristics. Research suggests problem effectiveness can be defined by 11 common characteristics. Such characteristics can be cateogrised into two areas: feature characteristics and function characteristics. Feature characteristics focus on the design elements, while function characteristics relate to the desired outcomes of the problem.

Feature characteristics include:

• problem clarity
• problem format
• problem difficulty level
• problem familiarity
• problem relevance

Function characteristics include:

• leads to intended learning issues
• promotes self-directed learning
• stimulastes critical reasoning 
• stimulates elaboration
• promotes teamwork 
• triggers interest

This gives you an idea of what consitutes an effective problem, but how can these charaxcteristic can be incorporated into the problem design? <See next round of blogs on "Making PBL Relevant and Realistic">